Festival History
The Stanthorpe Berry Festival began with a vision from Amy Torrisi, a passionate local event coordinator, who dreamed of celebrating the Granite Belt as Queensland's only summer-producing strawberry region. Although Amy didn't have a connection to a berry farm herself, her deep love for the community and the region's agricultural heritage drove her to create an event that would shine a spotlight on the area’s incredible berries. In 2020, Amy gathered a small team and engaged local sponsors to bring her dream to life, with the inaugural festival set for November 2021.
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​Each year, the festival has built on its success, with more attendees, more activities, and a deeper connection to the community. Amy Torrisi and her dedicated crew continue to work tirelessly to deliver a vibrant, family-friendly event that highlights the flavors, talents, and spirit of the region
Festival Timeline
2020
From a pipe dream
With a vision of showcasing the Granite Belt as Queensland's only summer-producing strawberry region, Amy Torrisi launched the concept for the Stanthorpe Berry Festival. Her dream was to celebrate local berry farmers, and with the support of engaged sponsors, Amy and her small team laid the foundations for what would become a signature event for the region. The inaugural festival was planned for Weeroona Park, Stanthorpe, in November 2021.
2021
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The festival comes to life
​The inaugural Stanthorpe Berry Festival took place in Weeroona Park, attracting over 1,200 attendees. Despite challenging weather—cold temperatures that cut the event short—the festival was a success. The program featured local culinary talents such as Jamworks Gourmet Foods, Chef Drew, and Granite Belt Brewery, along with fun activities like a scone & cream eating competition, an amateur jam competition, and a Sweets strawberries runners run. A combination of live music, kids' activities, and a BBQ competition set the stage for future growth.
2022
Returning to Weeroona Park, the festival focused on Queensland’s strawberry industry and the paddock-to-plate experience. New programming featured Shank Brothers BBQ, Celebrity Chef Alastair McLeod, and local culinary professionals like Matt from Marley's Little Kitchen, Jamworks Gourmet Foods and Lizzy from Cooked from Scratch. With just over 1,200 attendees—primarily from Brisbane and SE Queensland—the event continued to build momentum as an important celebration of the region’s produce.
2023
The Stanthorpe Berry Festival took on a new date—the 3rd weekend in November—and welcomed over 1,300 attendees. The program introduced Celebrity Chef Dominique Rizzo and local stars like Steph & Christine from Jamworks and Tristan Pabst from Farmers Doughnuts. The festival expanded its offerings with fun events like the Hubba Bubba bubble competition, Fanta throwdown, and a highly competitive chilli wing challenge. A BBQ steak cook-off and a pie throwing contest at the SDRC Mayor, Vic Pennisi, and Brendon Hoyle from Ashburn Farms added to the excitement. With support from Bunnings and creative art activities like Strawberry Fields Forever, the festival attracted participants from diverse markets.
2024
New festival home
The Stanthorpe Berry Festival took a major leap forward in 2024, moving to the Stanthorpe Showgrounds for a larger footprint and an even more exciting program. With perfect weather and a buzzing atmosphere, the event featured all-day cooking demonstrations at the new Galley and Paddock stages. Local culinary stars like Tristan Pabst from The Farmers Doughnut, Christine and Steph from Jamworks, John Speranza from Josie's Good Hospitality showcased the best of the Granite Belt’s fresh produce. Celebrity Chef Matt Golinski also joined in to create unforgettable cooking displays celebrating the region’s strawberries and local ingredients.
Founder Amy Torrisi, along with her dedicated small crew, continued to deliver the festival with passion and care, making sure every detail was perfect. The festival's live music kept the crowd energized, while the traveling bubble show wowed attendees with over 12,000 bubbles per minute. The boutique market stalls offered everything from local jams and sauces to handmade crafts and unique gifts, giving guests a chance to take home a piece of the festival’s magic.
Supported by non-profit groups managing activities like the strawberry kebab stand, ice-cream stalls, and event logistics, the festival’s growing success was evident.
With over 1,500 attendees, the 2024 festival was the most vibrant and successful yet, solidifying the Stanthorpe Berry Festival as a key event on the Queensland calendar.